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Fluorescent |
Halogen |
Incandescent |
LED |
Xenon |
Candle |
Operation |
When electricity passes through mercury vapor in a glass tube the invisible light given off interacts with the coating in the glass and produces visible light |
Similar to incandescent except that a small amount of a halogen gas has been added to the inside of the glass envelope |
When electricity passes through a metal filament to the point of “incandescence” the filament gives off light as well as plenty of heat |
When electricity passes through certain diodes (electronic components) they give off light and become a Light Emitting Diodes |
Very similar to incandescent except a small amount of xenon gas has been added to the inside of the glass envelope |
Cloth wick surrounded by wax has a small burning flame that often “flickers” |
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Fluorescent |
Halogen |
Incandescent |
LED |
Xenon |
Candle |
Type
of Light |
All types of white light (e.g., warm white, cool white, daylight) with good to very good color rendition |
Crisp white light with very good color rendition |
Yellowish light with good color rendition |
Many colors are available including warm white and cool white |
Similar to incandescent light only slightly less yellow |
Very yellowish light |
| |
Fluorescent |
Halogen |
Incandescent |
LED |
Xenon |
Candle |
Strengths |
Gives off a lot of light and is very energy-efficient; newer, compact models can fit some residential fixtures |
Good for illuminating art and fitting into small areas; need to be changed less often than incandescent bulbs; can be dimmed; better beam control allows light to be carefully focused |
Emits a warm light that flatters pretty much all skin tones; inexpensive to purchase; easily dimmable |
Uses very little energy or space; is inexpensive to operate; gives off with very little heat; can last for years |
Lasts longer than standard incandescents; can be dimmed; unlike halogen light bulbs the glass can be touched without reducing the life of the light bulb |
Flame flicker makes everyone look their best and cannot be duplicated by electric light sources |
| |
Fluorescent |
Halogen |
Incandescent |
LED |
Xenon |
Candle |
Weaknesses |
Older versions of fluorescent light bulbs can make you look gray-green; many fluorescent fixtures cannot be dimmed |
The light can be too bright for living rooms or some decorative fixtures; light bulbs and fixtures can become very hot; touching glass will shorten the life of the light bulb |
Cheaper models burn out quickly; use a lot more energy than fluorescents or halogens; emit a lot of heat |
Are not yet widely available for home use and certain types of fixtures can be expensive to purchase; cannot be dimmed |
Not very energy-efficient; emit some heat but not as hot as halogen |
Fire hazard; candles need to be replaced often to avoid messy half-burned look |
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Fluorescent |
Halogen |
Incandescent |
LED |
Xenon |
Candle |
Comments |
New fluorescents with new coatings give fluorescent lights a MUCH more flattering glow |
Have become increasing popular because of their ability to light well |
The “daylight” varieties (with a bluish tint) are closer to outdoor light than typical incandescent light bulbs |
Quickly becoming a standard in car dashboards, traffic lights, and taillights; home LEDs often require extra parts to operate |
Becoming VERY popular for under cabinet lighting |
Almost everyone looks better in candlelight |
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Fluorescent |
Halogen |
Incandescent |
LED |
Xenon |
Candle |
| Links |
Fluorescent
Fixtures
Fluorescent
Light Bulbs |
Halogen Fixtures
Halogen
Light Bulbs |
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LED
Fixtures |
Xenon
Fixtures
Xenon
Light Bulbs
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